Carolina Panthers vs Houston Texans Prediction, 9/23/2021 NFL Pick, Tips and Odds, Week 3

Game: Carolina Panthers vs Houston Texans

Date: Thursday, September 23, 2021

Location: NRG Stadium in Houston, TX

TV: NFLN

Odds/Point Spread: Texans (+4.5)

Total/Over-Under: 44.5

The Carolina Panthers (2-0) are traveling to NRG Stadium on Thursday where they will compete against the Houston Texans (1-1). Carolina opens this contest as 4.5-point favorites from Vegas oddsmakers. The total has been set at 44.5.

The Carolina Panthers come into this matchup with a record of 2-0 this season. In their last contest, the Panthers took the field against the Saints and went home with a win by a final score of 26-7. Christian McCaffrey was the leader on the ground for the Panthers with 24 totes for 72 yds (3.0 yards per carry). D.J. Moore had an average of 9.9 yds per reception by totaling 79 yds on 8 catches. Sam Darnold finished 26/38 with 305 yards through the air and 2 touchdowns. He had a QB rating of 99.1 and ended the contest with 1 pick. When it came to the battle of the line of scrimmage, the Panthers conceded 48 yds on 17 attempts, which averages out to 2.8 yards per rush allowed. Carolina conceded 11 pass completions on 22 tries for 80 yards, and a completion rate of 50.0%. In all, they tallied 74 plays for 383 yards. The Carolina Panthers ended up rushing 34 different times and tallied 89 yds, earning them an average of 2.6 yds per carry.

The Panthers have earned 764 total yards over the course of this season. Carolina has amassed 32 1st downs as an offense, and they have committed 11 penalties for 87 yds. They have turned the football over 2 times (1 pick and 1 fumble). As a unit they average 100.0 yards in the run game which ranks them 21st in the NFL. When it comes to getting in the endzone, the Carolina Panthers have an average of 22.5 points per outing.

The Panthers are sitting in 1st in the National Football League regarding team defense, allowing 10.5 points per game. They are giving up 2.7 yards per rush and 46.5 rushing yards per contest over the course of this season. Overall, they have given up 93 rushing yards through 2 games. Regarding passing yards, the Panthers have surrendered 287 yards which has them sitting in 1st in the National Football League. They are conceding 143.5 yards per game via the pass and allowed a completion percentage of 52.5%. For the season, they have given up 190.0 yards per outing putting them 1st in the league.

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The Texans head into this matchup 1-1 this year. When they last stepped on the field, the Texans took a defeat with a final score of 31-21 when they faced the Browns. Tyrod Taylor (1 touchdown) ended the contest with 125 yds on 10/11 through the air while his quarterback rating was 144.3. He didn't throw any interceptions and his longest pass completion was 32 yds. Brandin Cooks was a featured target for the Texans, catching 9 passes for 78 yds (8.7 yards per catch). Mark Ingram carried the football 14 times for 41 yds, finishing the game with 2.9 yards per carry for Houston. The Texans ended up finishing with 302 yards while they ran 58 plays (5.2 yards per play). Houston rushed for 2.9 yds per attempt, finishing with a total of 82 yds on 28 carries. Houston allowed 34 rushing attempts for 156 yds (4.6 yards per rush). The Texans passing defense conceded a completion rate of 90.5%, surrendering 199 yards on 19 out of 21 passing.

Regarding their scoring prowess, the Texans are ranked 10th in the NFL averaging 29.0 points per game. For the season thus far, the Texans have compiled 509 yards through the air as well as an average of 254.5 passing yards per contest, which ranks 13th in the NFL. They hold an average of 121.0 yards per game via the rush and have toted the ball for 242 yards overall. The Houston Texans maintain an average of 375.5 yards per outing which has them ranked 17th in the league. The Houston offense has accrued 128 penalty yards on 14 infractions, which has them sitting 14th in football in terms of helping out the other team. They have tossed 1 pick while surrendering 1 fumble and they have been able to tally 23 1st downs.

The Texans are allowing 26.0 points per contest, ranking them 20th of all teams in the NFL. Houston has yielded a total of 232 yards via the ground game (116.0 yards per game) as well as 3 touchdowns by ground this season. They have surrendered 4 touchdowns via the pass and 259.0 yards/game, which has them in 18th in the league. The Texans defense taken the field for 125 plays, which ranks them 16th in the NFL. In total, they have conceded 52 points in total. They have compiled 5 turnovers (1 fumble and 4 interceptions) over the course of the season.

Who will win tonight's Panthers/Texans NFL game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Panthers -4.5

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